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Pacific Union College, in collaboration with PUC Preparatory School, is set to host the Pioneers Invitational Academy Basketball Tournament from January 24-27. This year marks a record turnout for the annual event, featuring participation from 17 academies and 32 boys and girls teams representing schools in California and as far away as Hawaii and Maine.Matt Lee, one of the event organizers and athletic director at PUC Prep, expressed his enthusiasm about the turnout. “We've never had this many schools here for the tournament before, and I'm really excited about all of the energy on campus,” said Lee. “Playing on all three courts creates a great atmosphere and allows a lot of great basketball to happen in just a few days.”The four-day tournament kicks off with the first boys and girls games on Wednesday morning at the Pacific Auditorium. In addition to the games, there will also be a 3-point shooting contest on Friday afternoon. A special award ceremony for participating teams is scheduled for Saturday night, followed by the final championship games. The list of participating academies includes: Armona Union AcademyBakersfield Adventist AcademyCentral Valley Christian AcademyEscondido Adventist AcademyHawaiian Mission AcademyKolbe Trinity PrepLoma Linda AcademyMile High AcademyMonterey Bay AcademyMountain View AcademyNewbury...

The PUC Church resonated with powerful words as David Anthony Johnson addressed students during a special Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service. The event, held in the sanctuary on Thursday morning, Jan. 11, as part of the Community Speakers Series, was dedicated to honoring King’s legacy. The event began with a warm welcome and prayer from Religious Vice President Ashley Castro-Rodriguez. Vice President for Student & Spiritual Life Ryan Smith also welcomed students back for the beginning of the winter quarter. Before showing a short video about the life of King, Smith said he is often remembered for the Civil Rights Movement and getting Black people to vote. “But it’s so much more than that,” he added. “Civil rights was important to so many groups within our country.”Although Johnson is a familiar figure at PUC, it’s been nine years since he last spoke at the college. An accomplished orator and gospel singer, Johnson has been motivating students worldwide, guiding them to use their talents for positive impact in communities.Johnson’s talk focused on “the three Moseses,” drawing parallels between Moses in the Bible, Harriet Tubman, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He shared reflections about his childhood in St. Louis and...

Pacific Union College President Ralph Trecartin announced this week that after nearly 25 years of service, Vice President for Alumni and Advancement Kellie Lind will transition to a new business opportunity in the Napa Valley. Trecartin told PUC staff that Lind’s departure at the end of the month came with “mixed emotions.”“Kellie possesses an exceptional ability to connect with everyone, making each person feel special and important,” Trecartin told the PUC faculty and staff in an email announcement. “Her vibrant personality and warmth exemplify the kinds of friendships and connections that PUC is famous for. While we celebrate Kellie’s exciting new business opportunity, her regular presence on campus will be deeply missed. Going forward, I will continue to welcome her advice and guidance.”Lind’s distinguished career at PUC began in 1991 when she joined the college as the public relations director. Within just two years, then-President Malcolm Maxwell, recognizing her exceptional talent, appointed her as the director of alumni and development. “I owe Malcolm Maxwell a huge debt of gratitude,” said Lind, who, in her time at PUC, also served as the associate director of student enrollment. “Without him, I would not have embarked on a wonderful career helping serve our...

Pacific Union College is proud to announce the accreditation of its Bachelor of Science in Health Science program by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC).Vice President for Academic Administration Lindsay Hayasaka said, “This new degree fills an identified need for students who complete their A.S. at PUC and want to continue with us. We received excellent feedback from WSCUC, our accreditation body, who are pleased to see us extend what is already a strong A.S. program."The college has long been recognized for its pre-professional and allied health programs. This new program is yet another milestone in meeting the demand for qualified allied health professionals.Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences Kimberly Dunker expressed enthusiasm about the program and its accreditation.“This new program continues to show our dedication here at PUC to helping fulfill important needs for health care in our communities,” she said. “We are thrilled to support our Health Science majors in their career endeavors.”The accreditation affirms the program’s quality and aligns with PUC's commitment to meeting students’ needs in aspiring to pursue allied health professions without the lengthier requirements of medical and dental programs. The recently accredited B.S. program emphasizes an interactive and immersive experience and extends...

Many graduates from Pacific Union College’s social work program are eligible for advanced standing options in master’s degree programs. These options involve exemptions from specific coursework, accelerating the overall completion of their master’s degrees. A considerable number of PUC graduates opt to pursue their advanced degrees at Loma Linda University. In November, PUC and LLU formally agreed to establish a 4+1 Master in Social Work program, streamlining the transition from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree for students. This innovative program simplifies the application process for students, requiring only one application and acceptance step. Successful completion of this accelerated social work program results in attaining both a bachelor’s degree from PUC and a master’s degree from LLU. Damaris Perez, chair of PUC’s psychology and social work department, emphasized this program’s importance for the college, saying that successfully navigating graduate school is important for students and receiving support from both institutions is crucial during their academic journey. “This collaborative effort aims to fortify our relationship with sister institutions, fostering a supportive environment for students pursuing advanced education,” Perez said. “We have confidence in the excellence of the MSW program at LLU, and this agreement serves as a testament to the...

Pacific Union College’s social work program recently received approval from the Council of Social Work Education Board of Accreditation, recognizing the program’s commitment to high standards and continuous improvement. Every eight years, the social work program undergoes a thorough accreditation process involving a comprehensive self-study, strategic planning, and collaboration with various stakeholders.“The accreditation decision underscores the program's commitment to excellence,” said Damaris Perez, psychology and social work department chair. “It serves as a testament to the program's commitment to maintaining and enhancing quality standards in education, ensuring that it aligns with the best practices in the field of social work.”The process to prepare for the assessment is a significant undertaking, Perez said. The rigorous self-study must be prepared two years in advance, forming the foundation for an onsite evaluation by an accreditation site visitor. In response, CSWE’s Board of Accreditation formulates clarifying questions that guide the visitor during their evaluation. The preparatory work, including strategic planning and meetings with stakeholders, is a collaborative effort that highlights the dedication of the PUC administration, faculty, and involved consultants. Perez said delivering a high-quality educational experience for students is a priority for the social work program. “Our dedication is evident in the relationships...

Herb Ford was enjoying lunch at Panera Bread when a stranger noticed his veteran’s hat and reached for his arm. “You’ve got to go on the next Honor Flight!” the man urged. Ford admitted he hadn’t heard of the honor flights before, but once the man explained, he responded, “I’ll think about it.” In September, Ford and 67 other veterans flew on the 26th Central Valley Honor Flight from Fresno, California, to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials honoring their military service. The Central Valley Honor Flight is a nonprofit organization that holds fundraisers to pay for veterans to be honored on a memorable trip–including round-trip airfare, a two-night stay at a first-class hotel, all meals, and charter bus transportation to every site on the trip.Ford, 96, is a veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the U.S. Army Air Corps, and the U.S. Air Force. He was one of just three World War II veterans on the trip. The others, including two women, served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, and other conflicts. Although he didn’t know any other veterans on the trip, Ford said he forged new friendships—especially as people learned of his connections to Iwo Jima. Ford attended Valley...

Students set things on fire. They studied cadavers. They explored marine life on the Pacific Coast. And they came away with an experience and friends that will last a lifetime. Pacific Union College continues to host its annual PacificQuest and PQ Rise summer camp series, which offers pre-collegiate students a hands-on introduction to the sciences.PacficQuest and PQ Rise are one-week summer sessions for curious and dedicated students who have a passion for STEM subjects and seek academic challenges while earning college credit. Participants engage in daily educational activities, enjoy recreational opportunities, and partake in team-building activities and evening events. This year, PUC hosted 30 students representing 19 schools from across the U.S., including Monterey Bay Academy, La Sierra Academy, Pine Hills Adventist Academy, and Calistoga Jr./Sr. High School. Aimee Wyrick, dean of PUC’s School of Sciences, said these programs are centered on the students—challenging them academically and allowing them to meet like-minded students and build social and team skills.“We offer students an immersive experience, propelling students far beyond the encounters in the typical elementary or secondary classrooms,” Wyrick said. “They learn to collaborate with one another, interact directly with college faculty, and get to know current PUC students who serve...

Pacific Union College selected 19 incoming freshmen as this year’s recipients of the prestigious Maxwell Scholarship. It’s the largest group of students to receive the award since the scholarship was created in 2009.The Maxwell Scholar Program honors PUC’s late president and first lady, Dr. Malcolm and Eileen Maxwell, and their dedication to Seventh-day Adventist education. Maxwell was the first alum to serve as president of PUC, and he had the longest tenure at 18 years.Maxwell Scholars are students with outstanding academic achievement, a commitment to Christian service, and outstanding leadership experience.Applicants must meet GPA and ACT or SAT score requirements. Application rankings are determined by a review of their resume, essay, and letters of recommendation.Maxwell Scholars are awarded $32,655 annually, renewable for three years with a 3.5 GPA and a potential fourth year under qualifying conditions.The 2023 Maxwell Scholars herald from California, Arizona, Colorado and Washington: Simon AbendanioLydear AngKiarra De LunaMakena DriverJune EoRut GonzalezNina GregoruttiJadan MartinezNeil NankaniKaitlin ObreroStory O’NealCal PatchinZachary RomeroJosiah Jordan SalazarMarc SalvoMichelle SaravanakuYaelle TanjuakioAlexis VillarrealMatthew Winokan PUC is proud of these exceptional Maxwell Scholars. Throughout this academic school year, profiles of these students, with a Q&A and photo, will be featured on the PUC Blog.Each year, PUC awards...

Pacific Union College hosted a brunch to benefit Paulin Recital Hall on Sunday, Oct. 22.Held in a private hangar at the college’s airport, Angwin-Parrett Field, the event featured fine cuisine from Napa Valley chef Chay Blancett and vocal and instrumental music by students, alumni, and faculty from PUC and Paulin Center for the Arts. There was also a silent auction.Kellie Lind, PUC vice president for alumni and advancement, said the event supported one of the jewels of the Napa Valley and was a resounding success. “It exceeded our expectations and brought in a significant amount of support from generous members of our local community.”As the nearly 100 guests from the Upper Napa Valley and surrounding areas dined, they were treated to the music of pianists Elena Casanova and Diego Mariano. Gabrielle Cortez and Adelene Bellah-Ramirez both enchanted listeners on their violins, Delia Bennett played her guitar, and vocalist Kaitlyn Nakanishi also performed.“We are so grateful to our committee, the owners of the beautiful hangar, and others who helped make this event a reality,” Lind said. “Your talents and support have not only contributed to the success of the event but also brought us one step closer to achieving our goals...